Difference between revisions of "Oldtown"
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In the [[Age of Heroes]], what is now the [[Ravenry]] of the [[Citadel]] was supposedly the stronghold of a [[pirate]] lord who sat there robbing ships as they came down the Honeywine.{{ref|AFFC|45}} | In the [[Age of Heroes]], what is now the [[Ravenry]] of the [[Citadel]] was supposedly the stronghold of a [[pirate]] lord who sat there robbing ships as they came down the Honeywine.{{ref|AFFC|45}} | ||
− | As Oldtown grew wealthy and powerful it attracted the attention of neighboring lords and petty kings, as well as that of and pirates and reafvers that heard tales of its splendor. In a single century, the city was taken and sacked by King [[Samwell Dayne]], once by [[Qhored Hoare|Qhored the Cruel]] and his [[ironmen]] and once by [[Gyles I Gardener]], who reportedly sold three-quarters of the city's inhabitants into | + | As Oldtown grew wealthy and powerful it attracted the attention of neighboring lords and petty kings, as well as that of and pirates and reafvers that heard tales of its splendor. In a single century, the city was taken and sacked by King [[Samwell Dayne]], once by [[Qhored Hoare|Qhored the Cruel]] and his [[ironmen]] and once by [[Gyles I Gardener]], who reportedly sold three-quarters of the city's inhabitants into slavery but failed to breach the defenses of the Hightower.{{ref|TWOIAF| Oldtown}} |
Oldtown survived the [[Andal invasion]] by welcoming the [[Andal]]s, not resisting them. | Oldtown survived the [[Andal invasion]] by welcoming the [[Andal]]s, not resisting them. |
Revision as of 15:44, 24 July 2015
Oldtown | |
---|---|
Port City | |
Location | the Reach, Westeros |
Government | House Hightower, Feudal Lord |
Religion | Faith of the Seven |
Founded | Unknown |
Named for | Being oldest City in Westeros |
Notable places | Hightower, Starry Sept, the Citadel |
Organizations | Maesters, City Watch of Oldtown |
Oldtown is one of the largest cities in Westeros and is by far the oldest, built by the First Men before the Andal invasion. The city is located in the south-west of the Reach, at the mouth of the river Honeywine where it opens onto Whispering Sound and the Sunset Sea beyond. It is the western terminus of the Roseroad from Highgarden and King's Landing. House Hightower have their seat at the Hightower in Oldtown. The city also hosts the Citadel.
Contents
History
The origins of Oldtown are lost to time. The oldest runic records of the First Men, and records from maesters that claim to have lived among the Children of the Forest, confirm men had lived at the mouth of the Honeywine since the Dawn Age. One of these maesters, Jellicoe, suggested that the settlement at the top of the Whispering Sound began as a trading post where ships from Valyria, Old Ghis, and the Summer Isles put in to replenish their provisions, make repairs, and trade with the "elder races".[1]
In the Age of Heroes, what is now the Ravenry of the Citadel was supposedly the stronghold of a pirate lord who sat there robbing ships as they came down the Honeywine.[2]
As Oldtown grew wealthy and powerful it attracted the attention of neighboring lords and petty kings, as well as that of and pirates and reafvers that heard tales of its splendor. In a single century, the city was taken and sacked by King Samwell Dayne, once by Qhored the Cruel and his ironmen and once by Gyles I Gardener, who reportedly sold three-quarters of the city's inhabitants into slavery but failed to breach the defenses of the Hightower.[1]
Oldtown survived the Andal invasion by welcoming the Andals, not resisting them.
King Aegon I Targaryen's reign is dated from his entrance into the city of Oldtown and his acknowledgment as King by the High Septon. During the Great Spring Sickness, Oldtown suffered badly, second only to King's Landing.[3]
Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Elia Martell visited Oldtown on their way to Casterly Rock where their mother was to broker their marriage to the Lannister twins, Cersei and Jaime.[4]
About
- See also: Images of Oldtown
The city is primarily known as the location of the Citadel, home of the order of Maesters who serve as councillors, doctors, scientists, and postmasters for the Seven Kingdoms.
The city's Starry Sept was the seat of the Faith of the Seven until the construction of the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.[5] Other septs include the Sailor's Sept, the Lord's Sept and the Seven Shrines. Oldtown also has a motherhouse.[6] The temples that cater to foreign sailors are all located down by the wharves.[5]
Oldtown is also one of the most important ports of the Seven Kingdoms. Trading ships from all over Westeros, as well as the Summer Islands, the Free Cities and other places across the narrow sea, constantly crowd into its harbors.
The city itself is stunningly beautiful; many rivers and canals crisscross its cobbled streets, and breathtaking stone mansions are common. The city lacks the squalor of King's Landing, which usurped its position as the pre-eminent city of Westeros. However, the city is a labyrinth of wynds, alleys and streets.[5] West of the Honeywine lie guildhalls, which sit along the shoreline.
The largest structure in the city, and also the tallest structure in Westeros, is the Hightower, a massive lighthouse which extends some 800 feet into the sky and is topped by a huge beacon which can be seen for many miles out to sea.
The city is policed by the City Watch of Oldtown,[7] commanded by Ser Moryn Tyrell, an uncle of Lord Mace.[8] Oldtown is ruled from the Hightower by House Hightower. Originally kings in their own right, they later swore fealty to House Gardener, and later became vassals of the Tyrells after the War of Conquest. The Hightowers are known for their loyalty and being stalwart. The current ruler of the city is Lord Leyton Hightower.
Streets and Markets
Markets
- Thieves' Market
Streets
- Ragpyckers' Wynd
Recent Events
A Feast for Crows
Oldtown remains aloof from the War of the Five Kings. Late in the war the Iron Islands under Euron Greyjoy launch a massive raid along the coast, conquering the Shield Islands and parts of the Arbor before trying to blockade the mouth of the Honeywine. An ironborn attack on the city's harbour is repulsed by the city's defenders. Oldtown remains under threat from the ironborn.
Timeon informs Brienne of Tarth that Urswyck was heading towards Oldtown with a small band of his fellow former Brave Companions.[9]
Lord Commander Jon Snow sends Samwell Tarly south to Oldtown so that he might study there to become a maester for Castle Black. He reaches Oldtown and becomes a novice at the Citadel.[2]
Chapters that take place at Oldtown
Quotes
Oldtown was a veritable labyrinth of a city, all wynds and crisscrossing alleys and narrow crookback streets.[10]
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Oldtown.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 22, Arya IV.
- ↑ The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at World of A Song of Ice and Fire. |
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